taaron76 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) I have never built a truck before, so this one will be a little different for me. I am still working on wheel selection and color, but I should get started on this one on Monday. Any tips or pointers on building trucks is most welcomed. Tim Edited April 10, 2015 by taaron76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Very good kit Tim. Looking forward to see you build it. i like your work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Any tips or pointers on building trucks is most welcomed. Based on your previous work, I'd say you won't have much trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramfins59 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Good choice. The only issue would be having to make your own inner door panels as there aren't any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1972coronet Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I've only encountered 2 "issues" with this excellent kit : - Bumper brackets don't line-up with bumpers' locating slots - Glass is a bit thick and mildly-obtrusive with the dashboard Until this latest retro-reissue , I've only built the 80's issue of this kit (including the Diamond in the Rough combo from c.1987) . It's such a great kit ! You'll have a lot of fun assemblling it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Thanks for all the comments and tips. I can already see that I'm going to have to tub the rear just a little in order to get the wheels I plan on using to fit. I may use the tonneau cover that comes with it, so that would potentially hide that anyway. Decisions, decisions... Out of the box, there is an ample amount of flashing on the parts and pieces. Nothing a sanding stick can't take care of, but just a lot more than what I'm used to seeing. I do like the fact that you can build three different builds of your choosing, which makes for some nice options. I'll definitely go with the custom engine and bumpers. This is the color combo I was going to go with for my '62 Impala build, but went another direction. Here are more color options; Black top/Titanium silver bottom Metallic teal top/Titanium silver bottom I'll make my mind up, eventually. lol Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm already looking forward to this one! I'm quite certain you'll be able to bring the metallic color to life here Tim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 whow cool kit !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 I wanted to upgrade the suspension on the '53 and matched up a front clip and suspension from the 1984 NASCAR Terry LaBonte Peidmont Chevy kit. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly. I had to do some measuring and a few things here and there, but this will work out nicely. I'll be looking at using the rear suspension from the NASCAR kit as well. I might even use the engine, but not sure yet. Here's the front clip that the front radiator support has to be trimmed, but I can't do that until it dried. I pinned it as well... Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 ... and the rear NASCAR suspension mocked up. On the left is the stock suspension. I have to make shock mounts and springs for rear, but everything fits good. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Great project. The nascar suspension looks like it was made for it. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Thanks fellas! Some slight modifications, but nothing too bad. However, it did take me 4 hours to get the front and rear suspension to fit right with the wheels, etc. Here's the stance. These wheels were in the '62 Impala kit, but I wound up using Pegasus wheels for that one. I think they fit pretty good with this kit. I have to move the rear wheels up just a tad. Easy fix. Tim Edited March 16, 2015 by taaron76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubiconGuy11 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Nice start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Nice start. Thanks, it's a slow build. Since everything from the suspension to drivetrain is custom, I have to mockup every part of the build. Lots of tape! lol Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I like everything you're doing with this build so far regarding planning and set up Tim. Way to go dude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Thanks Joe! I've had a lot of down time lately to put some good hours into it... too bad I'm back to work today. lol Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I just opened my amt 53 f100 and was disappointed to find a lack of door panels. No even in the instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 I just opened my amt 53 f100 and was disappointed to find a lack of door panels. No even in the instructions. Yep, just as Rich eluded to earlier. I've seen a few self-made door panels on this site if you want to search and take a look. I'm not overly impressed with this kit, but I am doing a ton of mods to it, so not a big deal I guess. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Good looking project. Nice front subframe and rear suspension swap, and except for moving the rear axle centerline slightly forward (as you already mentioned) you hit the perfect stance. It takes some effort to get it right when you've done so much heavy chassis mods. Very nice work sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) Good looking project. Nice front subframe and rear suspension swap, and except for moving the rear axle centerline slightly forward (as you already mentioned) you hit the perfect stance. It takes some effort to get it right when you've done so much heavy chassis mods. Very nice work sir. Thanks, Bill! Mocking up and test fitting everything is what is taking the longest. Front and rear suspension and the drivetrain come out of a different kit, so making sure everything lines up and is accounted for it taking lots of time... and tape! lol I have to get an electric fan since the new motor and radiator shroud don't line up. I am in the process of making the rear springs/mounts and the shock mounts to utilize the NASCAR suspension. The rear springs will be made out of wire like I did on my '62 Impala, but the shocks from the NASCAR kit will work, I just have to make some upper mounts to mount them to. I also want to use the side mount NASCAR exhaust, so some more custom fitting will be needed. Since the NASCAR engine is bigger than the stock engine, I had to move it up as far as possible in order to clear the firewall. I normally can finish a good build in 2-3 weeks, but this one is going to take a lot longer. It will be worth it in the end. Springs made for the '62 Impala... I'll never use plastic springs again. These thing are too easy to make and look so sweet on a chassis. Tim The Impala rear suspension is very similar to the NASCAR suspension, so the '53 Ford Truck will look very close to this. Edited March 18, 2015 by taaron76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Man you're really nailin' this thing. Suspension mods are noted............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 I'm just about done fitting everything into place, so I can start on the body work. This kit will have a lot of it. I hate the lines and gaps in the front grill, so I am filling them and cleaning them up a little. Here are the gaps filled with putty... just got to let them dry a little more and then hit them tomorrow with sanding and a file. Here are the rear springs. The mounting location didn't change from the NASCAR kit. Luckily, it lined up good with the frame and they will actually have a little bounce to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaron76 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Finished up the front grill body work and got the cab primed. That's much better compared to those nasty line and sloppiness. lol Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Some real nice work Tim, the front grill area looks so much better.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.